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David Goldpink and Professor Nick Jennings sitting at a table signing papers with banners in the background.
3 March 2022: David Goldspink, Caterpillar Vice President and General Manager and Professor Nick Jennings, Vice Chancellor sign Caterpillar’s I&RC renewal agreement marking the continuation of the collaboration for another 5 years.

The Loughborough University and Caterpillar Innovation and Research Centre (I&RC) formed in 2009, is a collaboration between academia and industry with the aim of meeting business needs and academic goals. The core aim of the Centre based in Loughborough’s Schools of Engineering is the discovery and development of new engineering processes and components based on recent scientific advances that give a compelling business benefit. The Loughborough academic team works in the fundamental aspects of engine and powertrain system technology, the application of new design methods and materials and brings advances in electronics and control methods. Academic staff work closely with Caterpillar colleagues to formulate projects which ultimately lead to new technologies applied both at Caterpillar and its suppliers.

The co-operation between Loughborough and Caterpillar is the first such agreement in Europe and involves the creation of a formal working relationship. The agreement builds on a successful relationship in which the Loughborough research teams have explored pioneering technologies under Caterpillar guidance. Through this research, Loughborough has supplied technologies to improve engine and machine performance, exhaust emissions reductions as well as ever more fuel-efficient operation.